Standby (Open Skies Book 4) by Becca Jameson (popular e readers .TXT) 📕

She could hear several voices. The police were there now.

Finally, Jake stepped inside and turned on the lights.

She squinted up at him. “It’s over?”

“Yes, sweetheart, it’s over.”

“Jason said Hawke shot himself.”

Jake nodded as he sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. “He did. I tried to get him to stop, but he was manic. He kept swinging his gun around, shooting it off at random. I was worried he would hit you or a neighbor, so I shot him in the leg, but he still refused to stop. Until he heard the sirens. That’s when he realized it was over.”

Shayla continued to shake uncontrollably, even though Jake was rubbing her arms. “I hope it doesn’t make me a bad person that I’m glad he’s dead.”

“Not at all. It was the only way to eliminate the constant fear. Worrying when he might show up. It’s over now. He’s not going to come after you again.”

She finally let herself breathe as she grabbed on to Jake’s shirt with both hands. And then she gave him a shake. “Why did you go out there? You scared me to death.”

He leaned back, frowning at her. “I was never in any danger. Believe me. I’ve faced dozens of crazed men. He doesn’t even rank up in the top ten. No one has managed to get a shot in me yet.” He grinned.

She rolled her eyes. “GI Joe.”

“Yep. That’s how I got my nickname. Tank. The guys thought it was crazy how I could keep moving forward on a target and never get hit by a bullet. They used to say that with my build, they figured maybe I had actually been shot, but the bullets bounced off me.”

She chuckled. “You are kinda muscular,” she said as she squeezed his biceps.

He kissed her briefly. “Let’s deal with the cops so we can go back to bed.”

Chapter 30

Two weeks later…

“Where do you want this box?” Bracken asked. Bex was right behind him with a smaller box balanced on her baby bump.

Shayla glanced at the label and pointed toward the kitchen. “You can set it on the table. Thanks.”

Bex set hers on the coffee table and dropped onto the couch.

Shayla sat next to her. “You think it’s too soon?” she asked before she bit down on her thumbnail and scrunched up her face.

Bex turned toward her. “To move in with Jake? Hell, no. I think life is too short to squander a single moment. You’re in love with him. He’s in love with you. This is where you should be.”

Shayla nodded. “My mom called again this morning.”

“Yeah? What does she think about Jake?”

“He has her wrapped around his pinky.” Shayla rolled her eyes. “Every time I FaceTime with my parents, he leans into view and brown-noses them.”

Bex laughed. “He’s a good guy.”

“Yeah, I’m kinda fond of him.” Shayla watched as Bracken and Jake returned with another armload of boxes. It had only taken one trip to get everything from the condo. She didn’t own much. She’d left most of the furniture for Heather who moved in with Raeann.

“We’re going to need to get some more friends,” Bex stated.

Shayla glanced at her in confusion. “Why’s that?”

“We keep moving. Our condos have very complicated lease agreements with so many subleases that the landlords must be very confused. But more importantly, who’s going to move in with Heather when Raeann decides she can’t live without Deacon another moment?”

Shayla chuckled. “You think they’re an item?”

“I think so. She refuses to talk about it, but I think she’s been spending a lot of time with him. Heather is about to find out. Then we can ask her for the gossip.”

Shayla laughed again. It felt good. For the first time in months, she was finally free of the constant worry. Hawke had really fucked with her mind. Now that he was gone for good, she was focusing on her own mental health. She had a counselor the airline assigned her, and she was working with HR to make sure they improved their internal harassment policies to make it easier for women to come forward if they were being harassed on the job.

It turned out the airline was very disturbed to find out so many women had been harassed by Hawke and kept it to themselves. Every one of them stated they didn’t feel like anyone would believe them. That was unacceptable, and Shayla intended to help make some changes.

“You ready to go, Bex?” Bracken asked after carrying in the last of the boxes.

“Yep.” She rose and then leaned down to give Shayla a hug. “Give me a call this week. Come by the bakery. Let’s have lunch.”

“Thanks for everything. I will.”

Jake let them out the front door and then dropped down in the spot Bex had vacated, draping an arm around Shayla’s shoulders and pulling her close. He kissed her forehead. “You okay?”

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I know it makes you nervous to give up your lease and move in with me.”

She leaned back. “I’m not nervous. Promise. I haven’t slept in my condo for almost a month. It was ridiculous to continue paying for it, and Raeann was living without a roommate.”

“You sure Raeann sleeps in the condo?” He was grinning.

“I’m not sure of anything. Bex suggested the same thing. What do you know about it?”

He shrugged. “Not much. Just that Deacon has a grin on his face most days. The man is pleased with himself.”

“I guess they’re having fun then.”

“Seems that way.” He tipped her chin back and met her gaze again. “Back to my question. I know this is a big step. I’m so glad you decided to move in. I love you. You know that, right?”

“Yes. I love you too.” She smiled at him. She meant it. She really did love him. He was amazing. He’d saved her life too. Not once but twice. Who wouldn’t love a man that devoted to them?

She might not have expected to find someone this